Related Articles

From anemones to manta rays, green sea turtles to moray eels, the waters off Mexico's extensive coastline offer snorkelers much to see. When deciding where to go, you have numerous options, from the Pacific to the Caribbean. Among the most popular destinations, the Mexican Riviera and the Costa Maya, attract especially large visitors to their scenic snorkeling spots.

Popular Destinations

For many, Cozumel is Mexico's premium snorkeling destination. The island has everything in place -- from guides to boat rentals to gear shops -- to suit its large share of devotees. You can explore the Great Mayan Reef and dive off Isla Contoy or Isla Mujeres. On the Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta offers numerous spots for snorkeling, as does Manzanillo. If you're traveling around Baja California, head to the southernmost tip of the peninsula for the best underwater vistas. Bahia Santa Maria and El Arco, close to Cabo San Lucas, have particularly beautiful sea life.

Exotic Snorkeling Options

Many of Mexico's prime snorkeling destinations put you in close contact with large or exotic creatures. Snorkeling off the Yucatan Peninsula, you can see gentle whale sharks up close. Join a guided whale shark dive; options abound in Cancun and Tulum, many heading to the Islas Mujeres for the day. Some tours guarantee that you will see a whale shark. In Cozumel and around the Yucatan, you can also snorkel among green sea turtles. Akumal Bay is one hot spot for sighting the creatures, with clear water, a protective barrier reef and depths of no more than 8 feet. Join a tour group in Cozumel or Playa del Carmen. It takes about 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen to the bay; most tour groups transport you by bus or van. Some tours include a lunch.

Dive Resorts

If your top priority is snorkeling, you can combine your hotel plans and your daily outings by staying at a dedicated dive resort. Many such resorts have SCUBA diving as their main focus, but also cater to snorkelers. Akumal Dive Adventure is located in Half Moon Bay, on the Yucatan Peninsula. The dive center features diving instruction for open water and caves, equipment for sale and rental, and guided trips for snorkeling and scuba diving. Accommodations are in the adjoining Vista del Mar Hotel. Dreamtime Dive Resort is located on the Costa Maya, in the fishing village of Mahahual. Dive packages are available with accommodations in one of eight local hotels.

Practical Considerations

Mexico's high tourist season runs from December through Easter, with a slightly longer season in the more popular towns. The dry season coincides roughly with high tourist season. In the most popular snorkeling spots, including most of the Yucatan coast, August is also a high season. Hurricane season runs from June through October, a risk both on the Yucatan and on the southern Pacific coast. Vigilance is recommended when vacationing anywhere in Mexico. While most violent crimes occur in Mexico City and in the northern border states, incidents of kidnappings and shootings also take place in resort towns.

Resources

About the Author

Danielle Hill has been writing, editing and translating since 2005. She has contributed to "Globe Pequot" Barcelona travel guide, "Gulfshore Business Magazine," "Connecting Lines: New Poetry from Mexico" and "The Barcelona Review." She has trained in neuro-linguistic programming and holds a Bachelor of Arts in comparative literature and literary translation from Brown University.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Photo Credits

Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Cite this ArticleA tool to create a citation to reference this article Cite this Article